Thanks for checking out this information from our newsletter. We write about Florida’s natural environment and the green actions our elected officials do, or do not, take. If you have ideas of what we could cover, concern over local issues, or suggestions for improvement, please let us know via info@seausrise.org.
Florida Midterm Election Info – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
City of St. Petersburg – No. 1 Referendum Question: Stormwater, Wastewater and/or Potable Water Improvements General Obligation Bond Referendum
Shall the City finance storm resilience improvements, including but not limited to, floodwater protection, stormwater pump stations, drainage infrastructure, as well as wastewater collection and treatment facilities, drinking water distribution and supply facilities, by issuing general obligation bonds in one or more series, not exceeding $600,000,000, bearing interest not exceeding maximum legal rates, maturing not more
than 30 years from each issuance date, pledging the City’s full faith, credit, and unlimited ad valorem taxing power?
From the Suncoast Sierra Club (who does due diligence): “If approved, the City could do more resilience and stormwater improvements in the next five years than were accomplished in the previous 35 years.”
*Sea Us Rise recommends a YES vote.*
Statewide – Amendment 3 Increased Homestead Exemption: Lower Cap On Increases In Non-Homestead Property Assessments
This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same.
*Sea Us Rise recommends a NO vote on this amendment.*
It strips billions of dollars and control from local municipalities, putting funding of important civic life firefighters, police, libraries, transportation, sidewalks and everything in uncertainty, and further municipal dependence on Tallahassee. It will pass the costs on to consumers and residents. The funding pushing this is from Florida Realtors. Instead, we need relief on property insurance.
VOTING INFO
Early voting: October 19 – November 1
Early voting sites in Pinellas County
- 501 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg FL 33701
- 13001 Starkey Rd., Largo FL 33773
- 315 Court St., Clearwater FL 33756
- Centre of Palm Harbor: 1500 16th St., Palm Harbor, FL 34683
- Countryside Recreation Center: 2640 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater, FL 33761
- Gulfport Neighborhood Center: 1617 49th St. S., Gulfport, FL 33707
- J.W. Cate Recreation Center: 5801 22nd Ave. N, St., Petersburg, FL 33710
November 3 voting: 7am – 7pm. If you are still in line at 7pm, you have the right to vote.
VOTER GUIDES
As an environmental organization, we look at voter guides of planet aligned organizations. If there is a voter guide you really like, please share it with us (info@seausrise.org). Here are a few we use:
- Suncoast Sierra Club
- Vote Water
- League of Conservation Voters
- The Florida Phoenix
- League of Women Voters. (The League publishes answers to their candidate questionnaires, no endorsements.)
City of St. Pete Rebates & Opportunities
St. Pete offers multiple rebates to homeowners, businesses, and developers. The City and Tampa Bay Water have the Water Wise program, plus rebates for sprinkler systems, shallow wells, high efficiency toilets, making multidwelling units more water wise, and more.
City of St. Pete Rebates Info and Tampa Bay Waterwise
The City of St. Petersburg is taking steps to advance several resilience initiatives through a citywide Vulnerability Assessment. They’re holding a community conversation on Tuesday 10/27, 6-8pm, at the Obama Main Library (3745 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713).
The City’s Office of Sustainability & Resilience and Office of Supplier Diversity are holding an informational session for businesses who want to work with the City. Position your business for upcoming opportunities that support the City of St. Petersburg’s sustainability and resilience initiatives. It is Thursday, 11/12, 5-7pm., at the Obama Main Library (3745 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713).
The St. Petersburg Water Resources Department is providing indoor conservation kits to water customers. Each kit includes a low-flow showerhead, toilet leak-detection dye tabs, and faucet aerators for the kitchen and bathroom. To receive a free kit, St. Petersburg water customers should bring a utility bill to the Water Resources Department at 1650 3rd Ave. N., Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Rainwater Guardian – Virtual Workshops: free classes (plus you can register to get a free rain barrel) to learn how to collect and use rainwater. Sign up for either Tuesday, November 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, December 12, from 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Micro-Irrigation – What is drip irrigation? Is it the same as micro irrigation? Learn the difference and how to start changing your existing sprinkler system to save up to 60% on your water use. Friday, October 30 from noon to 1 p.m.
Landscape Design Basics – This interactive class by St. Petersburg’s water conservation coordinator is designed to inspire you to make positive changes in your yard. Tuesday, November 17, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Pinellas County
Pinellas also has a lot of resources for residents. One of the best for your yard, home, and life is the Pinellas UF/IFAS program. UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County is the local part of a national network of land‑grant universities that share unbiased, research‑based information with the public. Want your kids in the 4-H program? Interested in bee keeping or starting a garden? Curious about what nighttime critters visit your yard? They have a huge variety of events, including guided nature walks, master gardener programs and more. Many of the programs are free or very low cost.
Boaters – do you know about the Clean Marina & Clean Boater Programs? You’re out there enjoying the beauty of Florida’s waterways. You can learn how to be their best guardian.
With El Niño bringing more rain, you might want to be up to date of FLOOD information in Pinellas. We have links to Pinellas County’s flood information, as well as multiple resources to help you save money and the planet.
What is a Neighborhood Ambassador? Why Become One?
We are building a hyper-local program through Neighbors in the Know (NiK) with 2 goals:
- Get information to our neighbors about environmental events, issues, and matters which will affect all of our lives
- Share what our elected officials in Florida are doing related to natural Florida, energy, and the environment.
After training, neighborhood ambassadors share this newsletter, and act as liaisons between NiK’s many environmental nonprofits and the neighborhood. The NiK ambassador will spend about 4-8 hours a month chatting with neighbors, attending the neighborhood association meeting, and logging environmental issues. Want more info? info@seausrise.org
We are excited to find out more about CONA – the Council of Neighborhood Associations, and how we can help neighborhoods through that organization. Are you a member of your neighborhood association? Is there a way we can help you?
Ask Publix to STOP Using Plastic Bags
Sea Us Rise supports the Sierra Club’s initiative asking Publix to stop distributing plastic bags to customers. Publix is Florida’s biggest grocer. They give customers an estimated 1,700,000,000 plastic bags each year. Yes, that is 1.7 billion plastic bags, or an average of 4,657,534 each day. If you would like to share these cards, please email info@seausrise.org and we will set it up.
A quote from our founder, Mike:
Good news on a rainy Saturday!
I just came back from the Publix in the St. Pete NE shopping center. I saw the store manager and showed her the card , she smiled, obviously it was familiar! She told me she loved Sierra Club and that all the cards they have been getting get sent to corporate!Yea Team!!!
Events
10/30 10:30-11:30am: The Night Shift: Bats in Florida Weedon Island Nature Preserve: Weedon Island Preserve 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Learn about bats of Florida and get hands on with the tools biologists are using to track and monitor them. Celebrate Bat Week with us and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! For adults and youth ages 8+.
11/5: 7 – 9pm: St Pete Eco Club Monthly Meeting Meets every first Thursday of the month at Outcast Brewing Company, 1776 11th Ave N.
St. Pete Eco Club meets monthly to connect locals in eco-action and community sustainability.
11/7: 10am – 3pm Boyd Hill Native Plant Giveaway: Hammock Hall, 3010 31st Street South, St. Pete, 33712. Discover how easy it is to transform your yard into a thriving habitat for birds, butterflies, bees, and other native wildlife. We’re giving away 3,000 Florida native plants.
11/12: 6 – 10pm: People. Power. Party! Florida Suncoast Sierra Club: Green Light Cinema: Lounge + Kitchen, 221 2nd Ave N, St. Pete, 33701. Join us for a night of food, music and community as we celebrate the people powering a cleaner, healthier, more resilient future.
11/14: 10am – noon: Wildlings x Keep Pinellas Beautiful Beach Clean Up – Maximo Park. Maximo Park, Sunshine Skyway Lane South, St. Pete, 33711 – meet at Shelter #1. Join us for a fun in-person day at the beach! We’re teaming up to help keep our coastline sparkling clean. Child friendly.
Business Electronics & Chemical Collection Event – Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 4 pm. Pinellas County Solid Waste at 2855 109th Avenue N. St. Petersburg, 33716.
SOUL – Stewards of Our Urban Lakes Cleanup
SOUL hosts urban lake cleanups in St. Pete every Saturday. Events are usually 9am – NOON.
All supplies provided. Wear closed toed shoes, and a hat and sunglasses.
Round Lake clean up– Saturday, October 24. Please meet at Historic Round Lake Park at the corner of 7th Ave N and Dartmoor St N.
Mirror Lake – every Saturday. Please meet at 3 Ave N and Mirror Lake Drive – NW corner.
Jungle Lake – 1 Saturday of the month. Please meet at the Walter Fuller Dog Park: 7901 30th Ave N. St. Pete
Meadowlawn Lake – 3rd Saturday of the month. Please meet at Meadowlawn Park near the playground area, 73rd Ave N & 14th St N, St. Pete
Crescent Lake – fourth Saturday of the month. Please meet up at our storage unit in the TASCO Building parking lot at Crescent Lake Park – 1320 5th Street North St. Pete
Thank you for reading our newsletter! You can download it here. We hope we get to keep doing this with you.
